| MATCH REPORTS |
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SEASON 2006-07 |
| MATCH REPORTS |
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SEASON 2006-07 |
| 42 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor lost the final match of the season in
West
Wales as the curtain of mixed fortunes for the blues.Manager Steve Bleasdale, without the injured Paul O'Neill, moved Lee Webber to central defence and re-instated Martin Beattie to leftback. There was also a recall for Kyle Jacobs on the opposite side of the pitch. The home side though opted for a three man attack to take the game to the City, with O'Sullivan, Hicks and Christopher linking upfront. Former Aberystwyth midfielder Chris O'Sullivan set the pace with a pacey run the Bangor defence on the quarter hour but his cross into the box was snuffed out by Lee Webber and Peter Hoy. City best attacking option was England Under 20 International Mark Smyth who twice created openings but fired shots wide of the target and failed to trouble Lee Kendall. But it was No 11 Lee Hudgell who gave the hosts the lead on 26 mins when he capitalised on a rare mistake by Ian Havard who fluffed a clearance to allow the German born striker an easy finish. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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After the interval Bangor worked their way back into the game.
Manager Steve Bleasdale sent on Sion Edwards and Stuart White for
Ashley Stott and Steve Wynne within ten minutes of the restart. But Haverfordwest might have doubled their lead in the 68th minute. A corner from O’Sullivan which Hudgell lofted back from the far post, and Ian Havard did well to grasp Jack Christopher’s header. On 72 mins Bangor sent on one final replacement, Marc Adaggio for Marc Lloyd Williams who had failed to net his twentieth WP strike of the season. With five minutes to go a mistake by Lee Webber, under pressure from Gryke, allowed Lee Hudgell to net his second of the afternoon and settle the outcome. City came closest to what would have been a consolation goal in stoppage time when Mike Walsh forced a save from the acrobatic Kendall. County ended deserved winners and Bangor players might be relieved to out of West Wales - for a few months at least! |
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| MiB |
A |
| 41 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor's
midweek trip to Stebonheath ended in a 3-0 defeat which flattered the
home side who nevertheless were worthy winners over the ninety minutes. City started brightly and might have gone ahead inside three minutes when Ashley Stott headed wide after Peter Hoy had guided Mike Walsh's freekick back across goal. Two minutes later leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams shot from 25 yards was fumbled by giant goalkeeper Duncan Roberts. On the quarter hour Peter Hoy was yellow carded for reasons unknown. Minutes later a cross from Lee Phillips was cleared off the Bangor line by rightback Steve Wynne. Lloyd Williams and Mingorance went close before, on the half hour Paul O'Neill headed over from a Bangor freekick. Bangor midfielder Kieran Killackey was working overtime in midfield to negate the influence of Mingorance. The ever dangerous Rhys Griffiths was denied by a combination of O'Neill and Ian Havard before Marc Smyth went closest to putting City ahead ten minutes before time. His powerfully hit twelve yard drive seemed destined for the back of the net but Roberts pulled off an outstanding save. This was to prove to be the turning point of the match as on 36 mins Andrew Mumford wrongfooted Mel McGinness to fire home from the edge of the box to open the scoring. On the stroke of half time Rhys Griffiths might have doubled the lead but he missed when well placed. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Once again City started with purpose, Roberts keeping out Mike Walsh's
25 yard effort. Ten minutes after the restart the first change of
the evening was made with Sion Edwards coming on for Mel McGinness. With an hour gone Bangor thought they had a penalty. Ashley Stott cut in from the left and ran on goal but had his progress stopped by Wyn Thomas who clearly handled. Despite loud appeals Referee Morgan waved play on and the moment passed. Bangor boss Steve Bleasdale responded with a run out for Stuart White in place of Marc Lloyd Williams midway through the second half. Ian Havard saved well from Rhys Griffiths before the home side went 2-0 up on 77 mins. A corner into the Bangor box resulted in a scramble which saw both Paul O'Neill and Lee Webber deny the Reds but Rhys Griffiths finally saw a clear opening and scored from six yards. On 82 mins it was 3-0 as Jacob Mingorance reacted to a deflected clearance and placed the ball beyond Ian Havard. Bangor kept searching for some consolation and Mike Walsh saw his freekick clear the home crossbar in what was t be City's last chance of the evening. At the final whistle few would argue the home side deserved the win but the final scoreline was harsh on the Bangor camp who had left Farrar Road at one o clock that afternoon. |
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| MiB |
A
fussy display in some ways, but only one card shown to City defender
Peter Hoy. Bangor felt they had strong appeals for a penanlty
turned down in the second half. |
| 40 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Two
goals at the Farrar End in the opening five minutes sent City on their
way to an
emphatic win in the final home league match of the 2006-07 season. With Newtown hovering close to the relegation zone a goalless draw was never likely and on three minutes it was off the menu. Marc Lloyd Williams worked hard to keep the ball in on the left. His cross into the box caught most players and spectators offguard but not Ashley Stott who headed home from close range. The applause hard scarcely died down when City doubled their advantage. Mike Walsh delivered a free kick from the left which Newtown goalkeeper John Rowley failed to gather and Marc Lloyd Williams was on hand to slot the ball home from ten yards. Moments later Lloyd Williams nealry doubled his tally with a sharp turn and shot but the hardworking Showderry blocked. On the quarter hour mark Newtown No 9 Sean Butler chased a high ball into the blues box and needed lengthy treatment after a collision with Ian Havard. Two minutes later Kieran Killackey, who ran the midfield, shot wide from outside the box. Newtown were then forced to replace hamstring victim Matt Lewis with Dale Raven. On 25 mins Ashley Stott thought he had scored again but the offside flag was raised. On the half hour mark City forced a couple of corners before Newtown went close when Dale Raven shot over the crossbar after Bangor failed to clear a freekick. Seven minutes before the interval Christian Courtney lunged in on Paul O'Neill and was yellow carded by referee Kevin Parry. In the closing minutes Marc Lloyd Williams went close for Bangor whilst Courtney blazed over from fifteen yards Kevin Scott and Dale Raven had combined well on the left. City left the field two nil to the good in a half which had entertained on a sunny afternoon. |
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| HALF TIME 2-0 |
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With renewed vigour Bangor attacked from the restart and Ashley
Stott forced a good save from Rowley. Moments later Kyle Jacobs
charged
through the midfield but his shot lacked direction and went for a
goalkick.
Showderry went close for The Robins in what was by now an open,
end
to end affair. On 53 mins it was 3-0 as Marc Lloyd Williams calmly placed the ball beyond Rowley after good work from Ashley Stott who had stolen possession from right back Worton. City promptly replaced Lee Webber with Martin Beattie who took up his customary leftback position. Christian Courtney continued to trouble the Bangor defence and his 20 yarder flashed wide of goal. Ashley Stott cut in on goal from the left but - having worked the opening - fired tamely at Rowley. On the hour the visitors all but scored when the industrious Raven passed to Sean Butler whose lofted effort landed on the crossbar and bounced into the Farrar End. There was still enough menace in Newtown to keep Paul O'Neill and Peter Hoy busy. On 62 mins Newtown pulled a goal back when Christian Courtney beat Ian Havard with a twenty yard curler which earned applause from the home and away fans alike. It also served to provoke a speedy counter from Bangor which culminated in midfield dynamo Kieran Killackey heading over from six yards. On 65 mins Sion Edwards, who had earlier received the BCFCSA Player of The Season Award, replaced Kyle Jacobs with Steve Wynne slotting in at right back. Two minutes later it was 4-1. Steve Wynne pushed into midfield, won the ball and passed to Ashley Stott who found time and space to beat Rowley with a well placed shot from twelve yards out on the right. Kevin Scott, who enjoyed a fair afternoon on his return to Farrar Road, sent a freekick spinning over Ian Havard's crossbar. On 73 mins it was 5-1. A freekick just outside the box was lined up by Mike Walsh who found the back of the net with perfect placement. Mark Smyth and Sion Edwards combined well but Smyth's fired just over. On 76 mins the visitors narrowed the deficit to 5-2 when Nicky Jones latched onto a long throw from Kevin Scott. As time ran out Mel McGiinness replaced Mike Walsh, Christian Courtney went close a couple of times, but the final whistle confirmed a final home win to all but eclipse the opening 6-0 opening day destruction of Cefn Druids.. |
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| MiB |
M |
| 39 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Some 750 football followers, including a handful whose behaviour
besmirched the name of the host club, filed into Belle Vue for the
season's fourth and final meeting between these North Wales
rivals. They were entertained by four goals, one a penalty, a red
card all served up on a bumpy, bouncy pitch which scarcely encouraged
passing
football. The team sheets confirmed the absence of Lilywhites goalkeeper John Gann with former Bangor glove man Paul Whitfield stepping up from the reserves. City opted to start with Marco Adaggio upfront alongside Ashley Stott. Paul Roberts and Marc Lloyd Williams watching from the dugouts. The early exchanges saw Mark Connolly send a freekick wide before Steve Wynne sliced his shot wide from the right. However on nine minutes Lee Hunt put Rhyl ahead after City failed to clear a high corner on the right flicked on by Dave Cameron. City fought back with Marco Adaggio first shooting too close to Whitfield on the quarter hour and then firing wide from twenty yards after winning the ball off Brewerton. Bangor born Dave Cameron then headed off target before a neat combination on the right involving Kyle Jacobs and Steve Wynne culminated in loud penalty claims for a push on Paul O'Neill but referee Southall waved play on. On 23 minutes though City were level. Lee Webber found Marc Smyth in space on the left. His low curling cross picked out Steve Wynne whose calm finish wrong footed Whitfield and nestled in the corner of the net. The Lilywhites responded with another effort from the industrious Connolly, a fine save from Havard, which resulted in a series of corners for the home side. With thirty minutes gone the first - and overdue - yellow card of the day to Connall Murtagh for persisting foul play in the Rhyl midfield. Before the interval Rhyl forced a couple more corners to take their tally to seven whilst Bangor went close when Whitfield saved well from Kyle Jacobs whose thirty yard drive. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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Ten minutes after the restart some woeful defensive play on the
Bangor right allowed Rhyl to take the lead which they were not to lose.
Former Buckley left back Chris Roberts was allowed time and space
to cross deep into the blues box for Mark
Connolly
to head home from six yards. Bangor promptly replaced Marco Adaggio with Sion Edwards who lined up alongside Ashley Stott. On the hour a cleanly hit crossfield ball from Kieran Killackey was headed goalwards by Peter Hoy but Whitfield gathered easily. On 66 mins George Horan was shown the red card for a lunging challenge on Sion Edwards but City failed to capitalise on the man advantage. Rhyl re-organised with Dave Cameron slotting in at centre half. A series of yellow cards and substitutions then broke the flow of the match. First Whitfield was shown the yellow card for timewasting, then Kyle Jacobs for a barge, then on 79 mins Marc Lloyd Williams replaced Ashley Stott. Minutes later the hard working Kieran Killackey made was for Stuart White who took up position on the right wing. Back to the football. With six minutes on the clock Marc Lloyd Williams tested Whitfield with a high curling effort which amost dropped under the crossbar into the net. Then Mike Walsh won a corner on the left but the referee whistled for a foul on the home 'keepr as the ball dropped in the box. Sion Edwards saw his goalbound shot blocked before Stuart White appeared to be elbowed in the face by Roberts. Four minutes into injury time Rhyl won a penalty which their outstanding player Mark Connolly converted. The match ended with Ian Havard needing treatment after he tried to blast clear a backpass whilst under pressure from Hunt. And that was it, after five minutes of injury time the whistle confirmed a fourth defeat of the season to the Lilywhites, to the dismay of the sizeable travelling contingent. |
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| MiB |
A
difficult match to referee in some ways, a poor pitch with
unpredictable bounce and a Rhyl side whose defensive style leads to
endless shoves and minor fouls. Southall probably let the home
side get away with too much too early which allowed them to settle into
the
customary style. He then may have over reacted to send Horan off
- unless something was said. |
| 38 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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A
battling display from a determined Bangor side who struggled to find
any rhythmn or fluency on a bouncy unpredictable
pitch swept dry by a crossfield wind. That the goal was a scrappy
deflected effort was perhaps about right. Attacking the car park end Bangor enjoyed the better of the first half with Ashley Stott firing off target and then Mark Smyth heading over following an inviting cross from Kyle Jacobs. On 22 minutes City had the lead. A freekick from Jacobs fell to Lee Webber and his right footed shot was deflected home with Caersws 'keeper Mulliner wrongfooted. The hosts nearly struck back when leftback Lloyd Grist raced down the left but he pulled his shot across goal and the chance had gone. On the half hour Ashley Stott cut in from the left and struck a clean low drive - but unfortunately could only find the side netting. The final action of a largely forgettable first half saw Andy Davies come close for Caersws before Mr Jones blew and sent both visting parties and the hundred or so brave souls watching scurrying for a hot cuppa |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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The Bluebirds came to life after the interval and might have
levelled the scores in the opening minutes with the impressive Chris
Venables
first sending a rasping drive jsut over the Bangor bar, and then side
footing wide when well placed. Andy Davies got in on the act and
hit the post after a run on the left. Midway through the second period City sent on substitutes Marco Adaggio and Sion Edwrads for Ashley Stott and Marc Lloyd Williams respectively. Bangor pushed forward and Caersws captain Andy Thomas was yellow carded for a clumsy challenge on Adaggio. Venables continued his one man crusade with three more efforts on goal. First Ian Havard clutched his thirty yard freekick, then the Ludlow keeper caught a second goalbound effort before Caersws' number seven blazed over from ten yards out. Steve Wynne worked his way into the Caersws box but sent his low drive at Mulliner. With some fifteen minutes remaining manager Steve Bleasdale sent on Mel McGinness for Kieran Killackey and the Holyhead youngster was quickly into the thick of the action. In a strange turn of events Bangor won a late penalty. Bluebirds captain Andy Thomas fell in front of his own goal and clearly scooped the ball away from goal. Referee Simon Jones rightly pointed to the spot but oddly opted against any kind of action against the verbally hyperactive defender. Unfortunately for City the home keeper specialises in penalty saves and Mark Smyth was disappointed with his effort. There were yellow cards for Marco Adaggio - for a wild challenge - and Mel McGinness for kicking the ball away, but City held on and picked up three away points. |
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| MiB |
This
was par for the course performance from Mr Jones who knows the rules
but doesnt know the game. Fussy, keen to take individuals on and of
course always right. Or is he.... |
| 37 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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This keenly contested local derby ended
in a home win
to the delight of the Bangor fans amongst the 550+ crowd and extended
City's recent impressive run. With Martin Beattie fit manager Steve Bleasdale continued with Lee Webber at leftback and allowed Peter Hoy the enviable task of shackling local lad Les Davies. It was the visitors who started the brighter with Carl Owen and Davies eager to impress against their former club - along with most of their team mates. However on the quarter hour it was the home fans who were cheering. Ashley Stott created a chance for Kyle Jacobs to cross. As Ryan Davies attemtpd to clear he was challenged by Marco Adaggio and the ball dropped for Kieran Killackey to fire home hsi first goal of the season from some 20 yards. With both sides looking to attack Richard Harvey had to be alert to save from Kyle Jacobs and eighteen year old Ashley Stott to keep the visitors in contention. Both Carl Owen and Les Davies went close for Port as young left winger Carl Jones impressed on his return to Farrar Road. Bangor has the stronger midfield with Mike Walsh again impressing alongside the no nonesense figure of goalscorer Kieran Killackey. With time running out Port drew level. Carl Jones embarked upon a mazey run down the right which he finished off with a rasping drive beyond the despairing Ian Havard. Not so long ago the 17 year was the outstanding player in the Wales Victory Shield side - lets hope this propels back in that direction. |
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| HALF TIME 1-1 |
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City might have regained the lead soon after the restart but
Richard Harvey did well to keep out a low drive from Port old boy Marc
Lloyd
Williams. As play switched to the opposite end Les Davies went
close to edging the visitors ahead for the first time. On 66 mins though fussy referee Maldwyn Williams added to his somewhat erratic performance with a penalty for Bangor and a red card to young defender Rhys Roberts, whose fould on Mark Smyth had sparked the incident. City fans were rubbing their hand in expectation but Port goalkeeper Richard Harvey rose - or rather dived - to the challenge and his full length save kept Marc Lloyd Williams' effort out. The ten men of Port fought gallantly and Clayton Blackmore's set piece delviery cause Ian Havard some awkward moments. With fifteen minutes left City replaced Kieran Killackey and Marco Adaggio with Mark Cadwallader and Sion Edwards. Former Chester apprentice Cadwallder went close to marking his debut with a goal but his shot sped wide. Les Davies thought he had won it for Port but saw his fierce drive hit the woodwork. With time running out it seemed as if the ten men had held on for a draw. But Mark Smyth proved why he is so higly rated by the Farrar Road faithful with a superb run and long range drive beyond the despairing Harvey to claim all three points for the home side. Injury time had all but elapsed and no sooner had Referee Williams allowed the restart than both sides were leaving the field, the blue half to a well earned ovation from the Bangor support. |
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| MiB |
Maldwyn
made series of disappointing interventions in this match, and hardly
helped the game flow. Opinions vary over the penalty award and the red
card. |
| 36 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Two points dropped by Bangor in a match
dominated by
a strong wind blowing into The St Pauls End and marred by a whistle
happy interpretation of the laws by Mark Petch. City had the benefit of the wind in the first half and failed to capitalise, despite some erratic defending from the shaven headed Matthew Rees and his colleagues. After an uneventful opening quarter Bangor sprang to life when Lee Webber crossed from the left but Paul O'Neill saw his shot held by Kristian Edwards. The former Wrexham stopper could only stand and watch minutes later when Mike Walsh fought hard to win possession on the right. His low cross tempted a first time shot from Ashley Stott but this glanced wide of the near post. Port Talbot, despite being prone to a spot of time wasting, were very much in the game. A strong run from Bond forced a brave tackle from Paul O'Neill which gace the visitors their second corner of the match. The wind though was the dominant factor and Port Talbot gave away a couple of needless corners either side of half time. The second of these saw Marc Lloyd Williams' shot blocked at the foot of the post. Bangor forced a fifth corner which Mike Walsh crossed from the left. Kristian Rogers dropped the ball into his own net and Bangor fans began to celebrate, but Referee Petch decided otherwise and awarded a freekick for a mystery offence against the gloveman. The final action of the half was a speculative header from Chad Bond who nearly converted Scott Barrow's cross but instead saw the ball bounce into the Farrar End off the crossbar. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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The second period saw the visitors enjoy the benefit of the wind barging into the
St Pauls. They might have gone ahead on 50 mins when Dean Johnston got on the end of a deep cross but he headed wide. On the hour Bangor replaced Mark Smyth with Sion Edwards and the young left winger impressed with his running and crossing against the experienced DeVulgt. City worked an opening on the right after good interplay between Marc Lloyd Wiliams, Ashley Stott and Steve Wynne but the Llanberis lad sent his curling shot too wide. Rogers showed the intelligence to unleash a huge lon g throw down the left, Lee John pursued but Kieran Killackey chased back to snuff out the danger. Stocky Port Talbot midfielder Tom Wellington did well for the visitors along with powerful central defender Lee Surman. The Bangor defence, superbly marshalled by Paul O'Neill, dealt more confidently with high swirling crosses than the opposition had in the first period, which meant that Ian Havard was hardly rushed off his feet. Bangor ran a couple of more changes, Marc Lloyd Williams replaced by Marco Adaggio on 67 mins and then with ten minutes on the clock Stewart White enjoyed a home debut as he came on for Ashley Stott. There was still time for former Barry Town midfielder Richard French to fall in the area with one eye on the official, but nothing doing. City huffed and puffed but could not blow Talbot's house down. So the winning run is now an unbeaten run and the challenge for the manager remains to find the perfect blend in the weeks and matches that remain. |
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| MiB |
Mark
Petch was too fussy for my liking and seemed to
favour the visitors more often than not. But the visiting
supporters might have felt the same! The big decision was the
disallowed goal when he adjugded that Rogers had been fouled. It
seemed a poor
decision but TV cameras that night showed similar incidents from
English
League football with little contact and similar outcomes. Goalkeepers protected species? Seems that way. |
| 35 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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With young Mel McGinness involved in a youth cup match over the weekend
City offered a return to Mike Walsh but
otherwise kept faith with the side which won at Cwmbran. On the
bench there was a welcome return for Martin Beattie. Ian Havard was in the action as Aber won a number of corners early on and tipped an attempted chip from the diminutive Bari Morgan over the crossbar. City settled with Marc Lloyd Williams and Ashley Stott creating problems for Aber's ageing centrebacks, whilst Kieran Killackey was enjoying his battle with Bari Morgan in the thick of the action. Home 'keeper Richard Morgan was called upon to make an astonishing triple save as he twice denied Marc Lloyd Williams and kept an Ashley Stott effort in a rapid sequence of events. Former Buckley right winger Craig Jones was unsettling City on the left but acting left back Lee Webber halted his progress and before half time he had to be replaced by former Chester striker Andy Evans. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Aberystwyth started strongly and might have grabbed the
initiative but Paul O'Neill and Ian Havard combined to block Stuart
Roberts'
effort as the former Swansea striker closed in on goal. Ten minutes after the interval City had the lead. Despite a foul on Marc Lloyd Williams by Bari Morgan referee played an advantage to allow Mike Walsh to run and shot on goal. Aber goalkeeper Richard Morgan could only palm the ball out for Ashley Stott to slot home despite the attention of Roberts. Aber ball winner Bari Morgan was yellow carded for another late challenge as his side strived to get a grip on procedings in midfield. On the hour Steve Wynne was booked for a foul whilst Gavin Cadwallder made his home debut for Aber as he replaced leftback Matt Roberts. With ten minutes remaining Marco Adaggio came on for Marc Lloyd Williams. Within five minutes remaining Bangor sealed the points. Mark Smyth cut in from the left, dribbling through three homedefender, to create a half chance for substitute Marco Adaggio to drive home from six yards for his second goal for the club. In the closing minutes Bangor sent o Sion Edwards and Stewart White for Ashley Stott and Kieran Killackey. In the closing minutes there was a scare for the visitors when Aber were awarded a penalty but Ian Havard kept his cool to save from Luke Sherborn and protect another hard earned clean sheet. A fourth straight win for City and a deserved one which gets the new month of to an excellent start. |
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| MiB |
P |
| 34 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor finished the month with a third straight win and put manager
Steve Bleasdale in the picture for the dreaded
Manager of The Month Award. But a heavy downpour just before kick
off almost saw the visitors back on the road home as referee Darren
Adie
surveyed the sodden pitch. Happily though the rain stayed away and both sides did their best in difficult circumstances. With Kevin Scott injured Lee Webber swtiched to leftback with Peter Hoy slotting in alongside Paul O'Neill. Mel McGinness started in midfield with Kieran Killackey whilst Mike Walsh made a welcome return to the squad via the bench. The earliest chance fell to Marc Lloyd Williams whose lofted effort got the better of Wesson in the Cwmbran goal but not the crossbar and fell to safety. Referee Aide yellow carded Geraint Goodridge and Mark Smyth in the opening half hour and was otherwise content to allow fo for the conditions for much of the game. City enjoyed the majority of possession with Kieran Killackey and Mel McGinness busy in the midfield. Former Coed Eva striker Martin Houston had the best chance of the half for Cwmbran but after a pacey run through the midield he failed to get any power in his shot. Half time no score and with both teams - and the officials - glad of a rest from the sapping conditions. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Eight minutes after the restart Mike Walsh replaced Kieran
Killackey who had enjoyed his foray in the mud, then five minutes
later Marco Adaggio came on for Steve Wynne. Adaggio was quickly
involved
but Wesson did well to push his goalbound drive to safety. The winning goal - the only goal - came just after the hour mark. Left winger Mark Smyth dribbled towards goal from the left and was fouled on the edge of the Crows box. He stepped up to drill a low freekick straight at the home wall who lept in anticipation of a high ball. The low shot sped into the bottom corner giving Gareth Wesson no chance. Cwmbran responded with a double substitution on 66 mins, Sam Small and Ben Evans replacing Martin Houston and Geraint Goodridge. With time running out it was substitute Small who went close for the home side but Wesson was the busier of the two 'keepers and Bangor ran out deserved - if narrow - winners at the final whistle. |
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| MiB |
Probably
the biggest decision Darren Adie had to make was whether or not to play
the match at all. Given that both sides were keen and the ground
was soft, he did so, and officiated with some welcome common sense in
slippery conditions. |
| 33 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Trailing to a solitary Adam Dickinson
strike at the interval Bangor chanrged back to beat the Nomads 3-1
after Marc Lloyd Williams levelled from the spot minutes after the
restart. The first chance to City came after Kevin Scott released Mark Smyth on the left. His near post cross was turned goalwards Marc Lloyd Williams and blasted back from the right by Steve Wynne but Paul Smith was equal to the challenge. Connahs Quay stole the initiative with the in demand Dickonson involved. First Craig Garside passed to the former Tranmere reserve whose early shot hit the post. Then his left footed curler drew a fine full length save from City keeper Ian Havard at his left post. The emerging centre back partnership of Paul O'Neill and Lee Webber was to the fore as The Nomads pushed for a break through, with Kyle Jacobs and Kevin Scott also in the thick of the action. Referee Evans might have applied a sterner approach to some heavy challenges from Craig Hutchinson as City struggled to find their feet. Mutton and Sargeant went close for the visitors. The opening goal of the game came ten minutes before the break. Tommy Mutton ran down the right and into the box with Lee Webber in close pursuit. The big defender fell and with Bangor fans expecting a free kick Mutton played on to pick out Christian Sargeant in front of goal. His shot was blocked but Adam Dickinson was on hand to finish from close range from the left. Bangor stirred before the interval with Marc Lloyd Williams and Mark Smyth going close but the Nomads went off a goal to the good and deservedly so. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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Two minutes into the second half Bangor were level. Ashley
Stott charged into the Nomads box and Gary Pinch lunged in to half his
progress but only succeeded in tripping the teenage striker.
Penalty clearly signalled by referee Lee Evans. Up stepped
leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams to
send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 20th goal of the season. Ten minutes into the second period sixteen year old Mel McGinness replaced James Scales in midfield. On 62 mins Bangor took the lead. Lee Webber broke up an attack on the edge of the blues box and picked out Mark Smyth who raced beyond two Nomads defenders on half way, showed too much pace for the labouring Chris Williams and slotted home wide of Paul Smith from fifteen yards. Neville Powell responed with a double change, Dave Swannick and recent signing Chris Melia on for Williams and Sargeant. Moments later former Flint striker Phil Molyneux replaced Craig Garside. It made little difference with young McGinness and the brusque Kieran Killackey dominant. Bangor did suffer a setback though with ten minutes on the clock when Kevin Scott limped off to be replaced by Tony Cann, making his blues debut against his old team. Cann settled alongside Paul O'Neill in central defence with the versatile Webber moving to leftback. Debutant striker Melia went close for the visitors but it was Bangor who held sway and deservedly clinched the points with a late goal from the impressive Stott. The goal owed much to Kieran Killackey who crossed from the right but it was a great finish from Ashley Stott who controlled the high ball and lashed home left footed to complete the scoring and sent the visitors home empty handed. |
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| MiB |
Lee
Evans awarded Bangor what seemed a generous penalty
and was lenient in the extreme on the ever late Craig Hutchinson - he
must be a bus driver - but overall this was a reasonable performance
when
compared with others seen at Farrar Road this season. |
| 32 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Druids fans were openly dismayed to see Marc Lloyd Williams line up
alongside Ashley Stott whilst the travelling blues watched the midfield
combination of Kieran Killackey and newcomer James Scales with interest. Bangor forced the first opening when a long throw from Kevin Scott was collected on the right by Steve Wynne. His cross was headed goalwards by Lee Webber but St Martins based goalkeeper Carl Edwards saved comfortably. Alex Hughes and Steve Watkin shot wide from distance as the home side countered, the pitch became firmer as the frost settled. Midfielder duo James Scales and Kieran Killackey gradually gained control in midfield, Scales showing some deft touches and incisive passes, Killackey abrasive and tireless as usual. Marc Lloyd Williams went close to adding to his Plaskynaston tally when he caught Wayne Phillips and James Taylor napping, turned on goal and fired for the near post. Edwards did well to concede a corner which Roberts cleared. A fifth Bangor corner yielded a clean header from Ashley Stott but he could not hit the target. The goal came on the stroke of half time. With no obvious danger Ashley Stott controlled the ball on the left, cut inside and fired home right footed with Carl Edwards unable to react. There was no time for the home side to respond and the visiting party enjoyed the half time refreshments more than the locals. |
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| HALF TIME 0-1 |
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The second half was barely three minutes old when debutant Scales
retired to be replaced by Mel McGinness the sixteen year old slotting
alongside Kieran Killackey. As ever the Holyhead youngster, who
had represented Welsh Colleges the night before at Telford, gave a
calm, sure footed performance. Mark Hughes' son Alex lashed wide with a left footed effort but Bangor's defence, well marshalled by Lee Webber and captain Paul O'Neill, stood firm. On 70 minutes they could rest more easily with a 2-0 lead. The irrepresible Ashley Stott raced down the left, got the better of former Wrexham defender Wayne Phillips, and crossed low across the box. Marc Lloyd Williams had already moved in for the kill and could not alter course on the hardening surface but Steve Wynne was on hand to confidently beat Edwards from six yards. On 77 mins winger Sion Edward replaced Marc Lloyd Williams as the manager appeared to shut up shop. With ten minutes to go it was all over as Bangor eased to a 3-0 lead with the former Everton man again in the thick of the action. Steve Wynne won the ball on half way, charged directly at goal with Cefn defence expecting a pass which came at the last moment - on the edge of the box - into the path of Mark Smyth whose left footed curler slid wide of Edwards and into the net. In the closing minutes seventeen year old Anthony Wilson - another who had played at Telford the night before - came on for Steve Wynne. Bangor remained untroubled and thoroughly deserved the clean sheet, the goals and the three points. |
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|
| MiB |
A decent display from Referee Hutchinson who officiated sensibly in increasinly difficult conditions. He made sparing use of his cards and generally enabled an entertaining match on a freezing night. |
| 31 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Leading at half time thanks to a debut
goal from
Marco Adaggio, City crashed to a 3-1 defeat as the visitors hit three
goals in six second half minutes. With leading marksman Marc Lloyd Williams once again left on the bench Marco Adaggio made his Bangor debut alongside Paul Hopkins in a youthful attack. There was a recall for captain Paul O'Neill alongside Lee Webber with Peter Hoy suspended. Carmarthen forged the first opening when lanky striker Kaid Mohammed's header was saved by Ian Havard. On the quarter hour Lee Webber rose above the visitors defence but hsis downward header was superbly saved by Neil Thomas. The visitors created another clean opening when Deryn Brace crossed but Danny Thomas headed over. Burly defender Mark Dodds - who used to play upfront - sliced wide from the edge of the Bangor box after a good passing move. Young debutant Marco Adaggio sent Paul Hopkins clear on the left but his shot was off target. Carmarthen won their first corner of the afternoon - two more quickly followed - and mdfielder Paul Fowler forced a tremendous one handed save from Ian Havard. City's clearest chance of the opening half hour. Steve Wynne's cross from the right fell to Paul Hopkins whose close range header span off target, Ten minutes before the break Webber reacted bravely to concede another corner which ended in a goalline clearance by Adaggio as City struggled to clear. Then in the final minute the opening goal. Paul Hopkins gathered the ball on the right, his cross shot just eluded Thomas and Marco Adaggio slid in at the far post to net from close range. The half time whistle blew and the home side left the field with a welcome lead. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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The half time interval saw Mel McGinness replace Ricky Evans who
had been laid low by flu. Ten minutes after the interval Bangor built up some pressure, forced three corners in quick succession, but ended up indebted to rightback Kyle Jacobs who broke up a Carmarthen counter attack on the half way line. Twenty minutes into the second half both sides made changes. Marc Lloyd Williams came on for Paul Hopkins and then Colin Loss replaced Tom Ramasut in the visitors midfield. Moments later Mark Smythe came on in place of Steve Wynne who been effective on the right. Within ten minutes Bangor were 3-1 down. The first goal came from Kaid Mohammed who had time to control and turn before sending a low drive past the diving Ian Havard from fifteen yards. Then Nathan Cotterrall converted a penalty awarded against Mel McGinness by the linesman on the High Street side. The journeyman winger found space on the left wing to beat Ian Havard from 20 yards, with a wicked bounce getting the better of Paul O'Neill. Bangor tried to fight back, young Marco Adaggio passed to Marc Lloyd Williams but his floated effort cleared the crossbar. Then Mark Smythe found Sion Edwards but his right footer wobbled over. The visitors thought they had added a fourth but the young linesman spared City's blushes despite the best efforts of Kaid Mohammed and substitute Mattie Davies. That was the final meaningful action and referee Brian Lawler blew to signal the end of a worrying home defeat for the Bangor faithful. |
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|
| MiB |
Brian
Lawler is off my Christmas card list thesedays but he had little to do
with the self destruction which undid Bangor in six manic second half
minutes at Farrar Road. |
| 30 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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With Marc Lloyd Williams laid low by flu there was a recall upfront for
Ashley Stott whilst young winger Mike Parker returned on the right.
Bangor kicked off uphill on the Maesydre slope which denied the home side their customary second half advantage. Throw in a swirling wind, occasional shower of rain and heavy surface and in the circumstances both teams contributed fully to an entertaining ninety minutes. And despite two red cards this was never a dirty game. It was a Welshpool player who went close on ten minutes but Gerard McGuigan was alert to prevent Ceri James' wayward header from gifting Bangor a lead from a Kev Scott corner. City won an corner and the former Caernarfon 'keeper was at full stretch to knock the ball away from midfielder Mike Walsh on the penalty spot. After Bangor had a freekick blocked, Welshpool raced upfield where Steve Rogers turned and fired cleanly quickly but sent his short wide of the righthand post. Kevin Scott and Sion Edwards combined well on the left but the young winger saw his low drive spin across goal with no striker able to follow in. Just before the break Ceri James and Mike Thompson were yellow carded for late challenges. Referee Lee Evans blew to bring to an end a goalless first half which had been evenly contested and enjoyed by the local school children present - despite the odd heavy shower. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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With spectactors moving into position around the
ground and some reclaiming their seats, the home side took the
lead. A corner from the right found Calvin
Davies free on the edge of the box
and his clean first time strike flew past Ian Havard and into the net
before anyone could move. Bangor responded with a strong run by Mike Parker down the right. His cross curled just behind Ashley Stott whose header flew off target. On the hour the first red card. The burly Ceri James lunged into a tackle on City's promising winger Sion Edwards, referee Evans produced a "second yellow" card followed by red to the dismay of the Welshpool bench who had a front row view of the incident. City replaced Mike Parker with Marc Smyth. City pushed for an equaliser and when a corner was half cleared Kyle Jacobs forced a good save from McGuigan with a well struck thirty yard effort. Peter Hoy became the second player to be sent from the field on 66 mins. He won the ball in midfield and ran towards the Welshpool goal but lost control of the ball which ran to Geraint Windsor. Hoy slid in to regain possession but caught Windsor who fell heavily and the official harshly reached for his red card. Paul O'Neill replaced Ashley Stott, slotting in alongside Lee Webber in the blues defence. Substitute Marc Smyth found space on the right but his cross was just to firmly hit for Ashley Stott despite his despairing back post slide. However with ten minutes left the scores were level. A throw in from the right hurled into the box by Kev Scott, headed on by Ricky Evans and crashed home by Sion Edwards from eight yards. In the closing minutes both sides pushed for the win. Marc Smyth went closest for Bangor but the real star at the death was Ian Havard who saved well fromm Calvin Davies and Aaron Stokoe. But "Frosty" could only stand and watch as one final chance fell to Steve Rogers - but the former Oswestry striker steered his shot wide. |
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|
| MiB |
A
late replacement for Paul Thomas, referee Evans always seems
inconsistent and inprecitable. James probably had
to go for a second rash challenge, but Peter Hoy was harshly dealt
with - sadly in that sense it was predictable - to even things out. |
| 29 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor were well beaten by relegation haunted Airbus who opened up a
four point gap on bottom placed Caernarfon. In doing so they
broke a run of eight straight defeats. With Marc Lloyd Williams watching from the bench recent signings Paul Hopkins and Marc Smyth formed the Bangor attack whilst Peter Hoy slotted into midfield in place of Mike Walsh who was injured. Paul O'Neill made a welcome return alongside Lee Webber. Playing with the benefit of a swirling wind the home side were guilty of overhitting the ball but former Caernarfon midfielder Leigh Williams managed a shot from twenty yards which veered just off target. On twenty minutes Lee Webber fired wide for Bangor from a similar distance with the visitors winning a couple of corners from the left which came to nothing. On the half hour Airbus had the lead. Darren Williams lashed a rising shot goalwards from the left. The ball seemed to take a deflection and arch over Ian Havard into the roof the Bangor net. Ricky Evans and Peter Hoy both went close in an immediate bid for an equaliser but it was Ian Havard who was called upon to tip another well struck effort from goalscorer Williams over his crossbar. City's best chance came five minutes before the break. Ricky Evans slid a freekick to Kevin Scott whose deep cross found Paul O'Neill beyond the back post. His header travelled across the face of the goal and out of play wide of the upright. There was a feeling amongst the travelling blues fans that a single goal disadvantage would not amount to much given the strong wind, all to play for still. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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It has to be said that the wind subsided during half time,
dwindled during the second period and by the final whistle
was little more than a breeze. However it was behind Bangor and in the opening minutes Ricky Evans sent a freekick narrowly wide from the left. But it was Airbus who struck to settle the game with two goals in three minutes. First left winger Neil Wynne, signed from Mynydd Isa during the week, crashed home from the left after a deep cross from Ryan Edwards to make it 2-0 on 54 minutes. Then on 57 minutes it was 3-0 and all over. Centre forward James MacIntosh latched onto a loose ball on the left to drive low beyond the despairing Ian Havard. Manager Steve Bleasdale responded with a double subsitution which saw leading goalscorers Ashley Stott and Marc Lloyd Williams replace Paul O'Neill and Mark Smyth. On 65 minutes is was 4-0 to the disbelief of the Bangor camp. Fit again winger Dave Hughes side stepped through the City defence to score from eight yards with some aplomb. Minutes later Mel McGinness replaced Kyle Jacobs. Marc Lloyd Williams went close a couple of times, once firing the ball into the side-netting stanction and then forcing a good save from the agile McGee. On 75 minutes City finally pulled a goal back after Rayn Edwards tripped Paul Hopkins as he ran in the box. Up stepped Marc Lloyd Williams to convert the penalty with ease and raise the spirits of the deflated Bangor support. But a 4-1 there was to be no unlikely comeback and The Planemakers celebrated a welcome victory as referee Jones blew the final whistle. |
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|
| MiB |
Amazing
perhaps, but no gripes with referee Jones! |
| 28 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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After a goalless first half the visitors
duly collected all three points with goals from Alfie Carter and
wingback Martyn Naylor. Playing in an unfamiliar orange strip the full timers created chances from start to finish and drew a man of the match performance from debutant blues keeper Dimitri Brinias who pulled off a string of fine saves but was undone at the death by Naylor's freekick. Former Cemaes Bay striker John Toner was central to much of what happened and his first incisive moment created a clear chance for Steve Beck but the little midfielder saw Brinias pull off a diving save with Sion Edwards completing the clearance. Moments later Toner cut in from the right touchline but again Brinias was equal to the challenge with a low save at his near post. Gangly Greg Stones and Alfie Carter forged an opening for Beck on the quarter hour but he fired wide, Brinias saved easily from Beck who then then had a goalbound effort blocked by Peter Hoy's brave lunge. On the half hour the keeper had a rush of blood as he went to collect Naylor's booming freekick. Stones rose first but luckily his flick drifted wide of the upright. Minutes later City thought they had the lead. Kyle Jacobs picked out leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams who netted from fifteen yards. However Saints 'keeper Doherty had already spotted the linesman's intervention and referee John duly awarded a freekick. On the stroke of half time Alfie Carter ran clear on the right but his final touch on the edge of the box enabled the eager Brinias to slide in and snuff out the danger. Half time and no goals, some reward for a gutsy performance from a largely outplayed Bangor side. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Three minutes after the interval Peter Hoy was yellow
carded for an innocuous challenge on the theatrical Naylor. Up
stepped John Leah with a rising 30 yard freekick which rattled
the crossbar with Brinias for once beaten. City had one moment of hope in the second period when Ashley Stott's collected Kev Scott's throw, passed to Kyle Jacobs but his drive flew over the visitors bar without troubling Doherty. Manager Steve Bleasdale replaced right sided Steve Wynne with Mel McGinness, but finally the orange shirted visitors had the lead on 69 mins. Greg Stones picked out Alfie Carter on the left edge of the city box and his left footed drive got the better of Kyle Jacobs and goalkeeper Brinias. Brinias was busy again saving at the feet of John Toner and goalscorer Carter fired into the side netting from a position similar to the one he had scored from moments earlier. But the final action of the match came on 88 minutes. Kevin Scott grappled with Stones on the right, freekick ten yards short of the corner flag. Martyn Naylor struck the ball firmly over Brinias and celebrated as the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. Game over. City won a number of freekicks and corners in the closing stages but could not muster a clear cut effort on goal and the full timers duly left with all three points. |
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| MiB |
Not
the toughest of assignments for Dean John, he probably has a more
uncomfortable experience driving the 200+ round trip along those
winding roads... |
| 27 |
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WELSH PREMIER |
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An impressive display from Canaries
'keeper
Paul Pritchard stopped City in their tracks whilst blues fans
were also grateful to Ian Havard for some important saves. Playing with his knee heavily strapped, former England Under 21 striker Paul Hopkins carved the first opening with a perfectly placed through ball but Marc Lloyd Williams just failed to make contact. Ian Havard then saved cleanly from Kieran Quinn before Pritchard got in on the act with a high catch from Steve Wynne's cross. The dangerous Chris Jones raced on goal but saw his shot deflected for a Caernarfon corner which Ricky Evans headed out but the second effort was cleared. Evans was the in the thick of things with a powerful strike which was blocked. Paul Hopkins pounced on the rebound but his shot suffered the same fate, as did Sion Edwards, as the visitors somehow survived. Leading goalscorer Marc Lloyd Williams turned and shot goalwards from 30 yards but saw his effort swerve wide of the left upright. Returning blue Layton Maxwell ran down the middle and forced a good save from Ian Havard whose parry ran to Chris Jones. He fired across goal just beyond the sliding Darren Wright who, moment s later, forced another good save from Ian Havard. City suffered a setback on 32 minutes when Steve Wynne limped off to be replaced by 19 year old Mike Parker who took over his wide right berth. Referee Maldwyn Williams then yellow carded Lee Webber despite failing to penalise similar challenges on Mike Walsh and Steve Wynne. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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Attacking the St Pauls End and with the benefit of
a slight breeze, City might have gone behind five minutes after the
restart when Kyle Jacobs allowed Darren Wright to slip past him but
the ever alert Peter Hoy snuffed out the danger. Caernarfon won
a fourth corner before Mike Walsh ran on goal and unleashed a 25 yarder
which Pritchard saved. City promptly replaced Paul Hopkins with Ashley Stott who joined Marc Lloyd Williams in attack. Stott quickly joined the action when Ian Havard sent a huge clearance upfield and the young striker forced another good save from the former Glantraeth custodian. Mike Parker won the ball on the right edge of the box but Mike Walsh was again denied by Pritchard who pushed over for a corner. Sion Edwards delivered deep and Ben Heath cleared Lee Webber's goalbound header off the line. Ricky Evans charged through the midfield and hammered the ball on target, Jon Newell and Eifion Jones stood firm and Sion Edwards blazed over. Sion Edwards then cut inside and saw his shot turned away for a corner - City's fifth - which Mike Walsh poked wide at the near post. Caernarfon were on the backfoot but dangerous on the break, none more so than right winger Chris Jones who took advantage of a dubious offside call to drive at the near post but Ian Havard was quick to dive low and concede a corner. Again Ricky Evans battled his way through the midfield and unleashed a thunderbolt which Pritchard turned away and Stott missed the target from the left. Caernarfon sent on John Rowley for Darren Wright who had run himself out for the visitors, Chris Jones again caused trouble on the right and won his side a fifth corner. Ashley Stott crossed from the left, Lee Webber picked out Marc Lloyd Williams whose shot was blocked. Ricky Evans seized on the lose ball but hammered his effort wide. Edwards and Lloyd Williams again caused problems on the left but Mike Walsh saw his follow up shot speed wide. Jones went close for Caernarfon before Ricky Evans saw his freekick blocked and chased in but saw his second effort closed down by Newell. Bangor's final clear chance fell to Marc Lloyd Williams but his lifted over from eigth yards, both sides forced late corners, the referee added one minute, and that was that. |
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|
| MiB |
Maldwyn
Williams did let this game flow and had no obvious influence on the
outcome. |
| 26 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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A Boxing Day win at The Oval features
high on most Bangor fans wish. A Lee Webber header obliged and
the blue support in the 1000 plus crowd went home happy. With Ricky Evans suspended Bangor pushed Kyle Jacobs into midfield alongside Mike Walsh, recent signing Steve Wynne slotting in at right back with fellow newcomer Mike Parker ahead of him on the right wing. But it was Caernarfon who forced the early pace with manager Steve O'Shaughnessy barking out commands from the sideline. First Chris Jones and then John Rowley went close in the opening quarter hour which also yielded three corners. Peter Hoy and Lee Webber were at full stretch to keep the Canaries at bay. City had to wait until the half hour mark for a clear chance. Ashley Stott found Marc Lloyd Williams whose run on goal was stopped short by Paul Pritchard who ran out of his box to block with his body. Moments later one Bangor corner led to another which in turn saw Sion Edwards' cross headed over by Ashley Stott from eight yards. Bangor were now attacking with more conviction, Peter Hoy even went for an overhead kick, before Mike Walsh blazed over from Marc Lloyd Williams' lay off. Sion Edwards was flattened by Chris Jones who last week opted to stay in yellow in green rather than trun blue. Referee Kevin Parry waved the yellow plastic for the first time. With time running out Mike Parker ran across field, Mike Walsh passed to Sion Edwards but his shot flew over. Honours even following a first half which Caernarfon started - but Bangor - the stronger. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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The second half opened with John Rowley forcing a sharp save
from Ian Havard and moments later John Newell headed wide. Five minutes
after the interval Tommy Harrison, impressive against his old club, saw
his header cleared off the line by Steve Wynne. City responded with a near post cross from Martin Beattie which Ashley Stott headed wide. This was just about his last contribution before making way for debutant Paul Hopkins on 56 mins. He quickly ran through on the left, slid the ball into the net, but was ruled offside. Unhappily the 20 year old England Under cap was clattered early on by Newell and never fully recovered. Bangor were building up steam and Marc Lloyd Williams looked odds on to score but Paul Pritchard saved well. Two more half chances came and went, Hopkins and Sion Edwards off target, before on 71 minutes one debutant made way for another in the form of Mark Smyth (for Paul Hopkins) who promptly fired over with an early chance. The marauding Sion Edwards again unsettled Ian Owen, the ball ran to Lloyd Williams, but Quinn slid in bravely to block as the league's record scorer seemed set to add to his 250 plus tally. Corner. Sion Edwards stode over and crossed invitingly for Lee Webber whose thunderous header left Pritchard without a prayer. Both sides used up their quota of subs but it was a starter, Tommy Harrison, whose low rasping drive went closest to beating Ian Havard, but sped just wide of the right hand post. The biggest impact made by Gerard Maloney was to hack at Marc Lloyd Williams and attract a yellow card. The final whistle came after a full five minutes of added time, a second successive win for manager Steve Bleasdale, and noisy celebrations for the hundreds of blues. |
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|
| MiB |
A
decent performance by Referee Parry in the competitive atmosphere of a
local derby. A bit lenient perhaps but nothing to moan too much
about! |
| 25 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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Acrobatic
saves from extrovert goalkeeper Lee Kendall punctuated this game and
kept the visitors hopes alive longer than they deserved. The first came on 90 seconds when Ricky Evans, who was immense, went close to punishing Ryan Durham for a trip on Mike Walsh. Kendall pushed that goalbound effort over the bar - and did so again and again. Experienced County midfielder Jon Coates fired over from outside the box before Mike Walsh saw his low drive deflect off Gareth Elliot for a third Bangor corner inside ten minutes. After twenty minutes Walsh again went close before Lee Hudgell cleared off the line from Marc Lloyd Williams. Left winger Sion Edwards was causing havoc and it was no surprise that of the five corners won in the opening 25 mins four came from that side. One charge down the flank saw the former Wrexham winger cross low and Lloyd Williams slide the bal into the side netting, supporters in the mainstand thought it was the opening goal. That arrived on 28 minutes. Lee Webber won a crunching tackle on the half way line and the ball ran through to Marc Lloyd Williams who held off Elliot to beat Kendall from close range. County responded with a corner won on the right but moment later Durham was in the thick of the action again with a clean challenge to deny the Llanberis striker his second. Chris O'Sullivan unsettled City's defence with a swaying run which created a half chance of Hudgell, but under pressure from debutant Steve Wynne he shot lacked power and Ian Havard pulled of a low save. Minutes later left back Wayne Jones crossed just behind Jack Christopher and his header landed on the roof of the net. At half time City held a 1-0 advantage and Marc Lloyd Williams was on 249 WP goals. |
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| HALF TIME 1-0 |
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It didnt take long for him to reach 250! On 48 mins Ashley
Stott released Sion Edwards down the left, he ran to the edge of the
box and squared the
ball for Marc Lloyd Williams to flick the
ball home at the near post. County seemed all at sea and soon
after
a sixth corner (again on the left) Bangor went 3-0 up. A deep cross from Martin Beattie, after approach play from Sion Edwards, found Steve Wynne in the box. His attempted overhead kick was pounced upon by Marc Lloyd Williams who clamly slotted the ball home between two defender and beyond the despairing Kendall to complete his hatrick on 53 minutes. Three minutes later it was 4-0 and what was probably the goal of the game. Gathering the ball on the edge of his own box rightback Kyle Jacobs powered fifty yards, box to box, passed to Ashley Stott on his right and duly slotted the return pass home from close range for his first WP goal for the blues. Bangor withdrew Steve Wynne to allow Michael Parker to make his debut, moments later Jody Jenkins replaced Jack Christopher. But it was City who held sway and seemed to for a bigger advantage when Rikcy Evans charged through the midfield and unleashed a booming drive on goal which Kendall again palmed away for a corner. Following Bangor's eighth corner kick Tom Sparey replaced Mike Walsh and the young Presteigne defender nearly caught his goalkeeper Ian Havard napping with a back header which Jody Jenkins all but intercepted. On 72 minutes County had a goal back, with red faces all round. What should have been a routine save by Ian Havard from a clean but harmless strike from Jenkins. The young 'keeper bungled the catch and Tim Hicks was on hand to stab home from two inches! In the time left Bangor took their corner tally to ten, Sion Edwards continued his personal torment down the left with one rising drive which just cleared the visitors crossbar. There were some fine individual performances for Bangor, including Peter Hoy and Lee Webber at the back, Ricky Evans and Mike Walsh in midfield and the bloke who scored the hatrick. But eight out ten corners cant be wrong, aided by crosses and assists, Sion Edwards again Man of The Match and the best orthodox left winger seen at Farrar Road since Lee Noble. |
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|
| MiB |
Steve
Hames was
a touch inconsistent but did not seem to favour either side. He
was
not petty and dealt calmly with the brainless incident involving Lee
Kendall
as the players left the field. |
| 24 |
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|
WELSH PREMIER |
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Bangor lost a game they could have one
with more a little more composure in front of goal in the opening
minutes. But credit should go to a determined Newtown side who won their second match in a row as they condemned City to a third successive defeat. It all started promisingly enough with Sion Edwrads denied by Rob Williams and Ashley Stott going close from a Peter Hoy long throw. Edwards also fired over from an early corner as City appeared to get to grip with the heavy pitch ahead of the hosts. However Matthew Lewis shot wide for The Robins to encourage the home support before Lee Webber made a brave block tackle to deny Justin Wickham from eight yards. Lone strike Marc Lloyd Williams won a corner for Bangor but moments later former Blacon midfielder Alan Hooley blazed over the Bangor crossbar. Brian Showderry defended well to deny Stott as Bangor went close. Referee Southall yellow carded Sion Edwards for kicking the ball away before teenage fullback Craig Williams was replaced by Damien Daniels. Ricky Evans was enjoying a fine first half and his bullocking run into the box resulted in fifth corner half cleared to Sion Edwards who fired over. Showderry and Williams forged a strong defensive partnership for the home side. Gareth Hughes was yellow carded for a foul on the lively Kitchen, Newtown won a couple of corners, but the first half ended with Ricky Evans charging goalwards but firing over. |
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| HALF TIME 0-0 |
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Again Bangor were first out of the blocks winning a couple more
corners but on 53 minutes the big moment as a linesman's decision
changed the shape of the game. Dale Raven ran across the edge of
the box and came into contact with leftback Kevin Scott. The
little winger fell, the referee watched and the linesman flagged.
Penalty. Harsh it has to be
said but duly converted by Glenn Tolley. On the hour Paul Roberts came on for Ashley Stott and Bangor switched from 4-5-1 to a more familiar 4-4-2 with leading scorer Lloyd Williams clearly glad of the company. It nearly paid instant dividends as a Kev Scott long throw was helped on by Ricky Evans but Marc Lloyd Williams was leaning away from goal and his header barely troubled David Jones. Midway through the second half Glenn Tolley reacted angrily to a shirt pull from Kev Scott and the two exchanged blows. Referee Southall was right to red card the pair but chose to ignore Newtown No 7 Gareth Hughes who ran into the middle of the conflict - uninvited - and might have expected to join them in the walk off. On 81 minutes left peg Alan Hooley was alert at the back post to crash home a cross from the right to put the home side 2-0 ahead. Young Ben Kitchen responded with a deflected strike which Jones held. On 84 minutes a Peter Hoy throw found its way to Paul Roberts who headed home and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but it fizzled out despite the late introduction of Tom Sparey for Mel McGinness. A couple of Newtown players were yellow carded for kicking the ball away but they were all smiles at the final whistle with a deserved win. |
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